Hacker Con Badges

Not just specs

Issues & Camp Impact

Safety warnings, delivery problems, app-store gaps, team-process history, and first-hand reports are tracked as sourced records.

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2209 matching issue record(s)
BSides Adelaide 2025 Wombat-2 CTF Badge note

source-code archive gap · source-backed but incomplete · needs public firmware or schematic recovery

The recovered sources document components, onboard controls, CTF prompts, LED behavior, and a PCB-blueprint challenge, but this pass did not recover public firmware source, schematic, BOM, or final gerber archive suitable for component-level verification.

The record keeps the hardware and software claims to creator and attendee documentation instead of inferring a full implementation.

Source note: Hackerware Wombat-2 pages, Hackster project-owner writeup, and semaja2 attendee challenge writeup.

BSides Ballarat 2026 Underground Badge note

source-code archive gap · organizer-reported release but archive unrecovered · needs public canonical source-archive link

The official event page documents the Underground badge's ESP32, screen, controls, badge-to-badge communication, SAO support, and CTF framing, and a maker writeup documents a WS2812B SAO board. A March 24 organizer post says the 20-puzzle conference badge received a full source-code release, but it routes through an unresolved LinkedIn short link; this pass therefore did not independently recover or inspect firmware, schematic, PCB, BOM, radio protocol, or production files for the main badge.

The record captures the post-event challenge and stated-release evidence while avoiding unsupported chip pinout, firmware, radio, protocol, software-license, or shipped-behavior claims until the canonical archive is retrieved.

Source note: BSides Ballarat 2026 event page, Ballarat Hackerspace reference, Eurekative reference, dmoges SAO maker writeup, and Dr Paul Black's March 24, 2026 post-event update.

CHCon 2025 Badge note

source-code archive gap · source-backed but incomplete · needs public repository or schematic recovery

The designer writeup documents source-file names, firmware architecture, and implementation details, but the current source trail did not recover a reliable public firmware repository, schematic, board-file archive, or license statement.

The dossier can now describe the implemented firmware architecture from a primary source while still avoiding unsupported repository, schematic, image, or reuse-rights claims.

Source note: Sinclair Studios CHCon 2025 badge challenge writeup and Jeremy Stott technical writeup.

SINCON 2023 Khong Guan Building CTF Badge note

source-code archive gap · source-backed but incomplete · needs public firmware or schematic recovery

The recovered project-owner writeup documents hardware components and CTF behavior, but this pass did not recover a public firmware, schematic, PCB, or BOM archive for the SINCON badge.

The dossier records the observable hardware and serial CTF flow while avoiding unsupported repository or source-code claims.

Source note: Hackster.io Khong Guan Building CTF badge writeup.

SAINTCON 2017 Raspberry Pi Badge note

source-code gap · official docs but incomplete source recovery · needs image/repository recovery

Official pages and the public manual document badge assembly, flashing, registration, and post-event conversion, but this pass did not recover a public source repository for the badge image, custom PCB design files, challenge daemons, or final production files.

The catalogue records the verified deployed badge and public manual without inventing unrecovered firmware internals or PCB-source details.

Source note: SAINTCON 2017 badge page and GitLab Pages badge manual.

iFixit SAO (DEF CON 34) note

source-declared collaboration, event association, and credential boundary · maker repository, commit-pinned README, and official event calendar · maker-labelled DEF CON project; organizer and external collaboration confirmation unrecovered

NerdFlare's repository description uses iFixit DEFCON 2026 SAO wording, and its README calls the PCB art badge a collaboration among iFixit, Cal Poly NerdFlare, and znjp. DEF CON's official calendar establishes the August 6-9 Las Vegas event but does not name this project. The source set does not include a DEF CON organizer page or an iFixit-published page naming this particular artifact, nor does it publish event authorization, venue role, sale, giveaway, recipient, or credential detail.

The catalogue retains the named maker project and its source-declared collaboration without promoting it into a DEF CON-issued Human badge, a ticket benefit, an admission item, a confirmed sponsor deliverable, an externally verified iFixit product announcement, or a completed attendee handoff.

Source note: NerdFlare/iFixit-SAO-2026 repository and commit-pinned README; iFixit SAO Version 0.1 final-design commit; DEF CON official calendar.

Easterhegg 2010 eHaserl note

source-depth and link-rot caveat · official wiki and current mirrors · needs archive review

The wiki preserves strong assembly and flashing instructions, but several referenced media and source URLs are old brezn/blinkenlichts-era links that need archival review before adding a cleared image or claiming a complete BOM.

The current record keeps sourceable details while marking original-photo, full-BOM, and source-history recovery as future work.

Source note: EH2010 badge wiki, source checkout path, and image links.

IHC 2018 1337 3310 WiFi note

source-depth caveat · creator project and secondary article · needs original media recovery

Original media and software archive still incomplete.

The entry is sourceable, but image and deeper software details remain intentionally omitted until licensing and archive recovery improve.

Source note: Hackaday.io project page, project logs, Hackaday article, and creator profile.

Hackover 2013 Badge note

source-depth caveat · primary blog and archive posts · needs git archive recovery

The Hackover blog and archive support the event, ticket, feature-list, firmware, and schematic-link facts, but the current live git redirect requires authentication and has not been mirrored into this dossier.

The first-pass record avoids unsourced chip-level, firmware-feature, and designer-credit claims until the repositories or original media are recovered.

Source note: Hackover 2013 blog page and Hannover Hackover archive.

Easterhegg 2024 RCA Badge note

source-depth caveat · repository, talk, wiki, field report, and participant reports · repository reviewed; firmware still not asserted

The repository review confirms schematics, Gerbers, LCSC parts exports, media, 3D-print files, NE556-related challenge material, and multi-board RCA structure, but this pass still does not claim a complete firmware architecture or full electrical BOM extraction.

The dossier is now specific about the public artifact package while still avoiding unsupported firmware and chip-level claims beyond what the repository and reports expose.

Source note: x70b1/eh21badge repository, Rabbit Chaos Adventure closing talk, Rabbit Radio, Easterhegg wiki, and participant reports.

TROOPERS11 Nixie Badge note

source-depth caveat · secondary article plus event archive · needs original design files

The current source set documents the badge concept and attendee-facing hardware, but does not recover original schematics, firmware, BOM, or a complete creator archive.

The dossier preserves the badge without inventing chip-level or high-voltage design details that are not present in the public sources.

Source note: Hackaday article, TROOPERS11 archive, official Flickr set, and ERNW/TROOPERS follow-up announcement.

TROOPERS22 Badge note

source-depth caveat · PID record plus official event page · needs hardware and firmware sources

The current public source set confirms a Badge.Team-linked Troopers 2022 badge record, but does not yet provide a full hardware writeup, firmware repository, app-store page, author list, or field report.

The dossier is intentionally conservative: it preserves the record without inventing component-level specs or badge-team credits.

Source note: PID.codes Badge.Team record and official TROOPERS22 event page.

BruCON 0x0A Badge note

source-depth caveat · event retrospective and repository review · schematic-backed review still useful

The repository review confirms the source tree, firmware release, KiCad/Gerber package, LCD, ADC, Wi-Fi, URL, menu, map, schedule, and server-side workflow, but the page still avoids unsourced chip-level claims that require careful schematic/BOM extraction.

The dossier is now stronger than a first-pass retrospective record while still keeping component lists tied to inspectable files.

Source note: BruCON retrospective and BruCONbadge2018 repository.

Hacktivity 2018 Badge note

source-depth caveat · detailed guide, mirror, and event archive · needs repository or team-page recovery

The badge guide and migrated mirror are strong for hacking workflow and credits, but no public design-file repository has been seeded yet for a full bill of materials or firmware-history record.

The dossier intentionally avoids unsupported MCU/module claims beyond the public USB UART, Omega shield, jumpers, CTF, and RF wiring notes.

Source note: Jump ESP, jump! badge guide, migrated mirror, and Hacktivity event archive.

x33fcon 2026 Conference Badge note

source-depth caveat · post-event public-source recheck · needs post-event artifact recovery

The current conference page says registration is closed at full capacity, the registration page says all registrations ended, and the organizer page retains a June 2026 Summary label without publishing its content. That trail still does not expose badge design, a badge photo, lanyard or credential layout, distribution variants, or post-event attendee artifact details.

Fields stay limited to event context, visible-badge and physical-ID-or-ticket access control, and image-free provenance until stronger sources are recovered.

Source note: x33fcon conference, about, navigation, and terms pages; event-linked Konfeo registration; and GoUp4 organizer listing.

DEF CON 1 Name Tag note

source-depth caveat · source-backed but limited · needs deeper archive review

The current public sources prove DEF CON 1 name-tag and paper role-badge artifacts but do not identify the badge designer, production process, complete role taxonomy, or any official puzzle layer.

The record limits claims to visible physical-credential evidence and official registration context.

Source note: DEF CON 1 official announcement, official archive page, official picture index, media-server badge image, and scanned program archive.

DEF CON 2 Human Badge note

source-depth caveat · source-backed but limited · needs deeper archive review

The current public sources prove visible DEF CON 2 rectangular printed chest credentials but do not identify the badge designer, production process, material, full role taxonomy, or any official puzzle layer.

The record limits claims to visible physical-credential evidence and event context.

Source note: DEF CON 2 official media-server event photos, official DEF CON archive page, official picture index, announcement, and scanned program archive.

DEF CON 3 Human Badge note

source-depth caveat · source-backed but limited · needs deeper archive review

The current public sources prove visible DEF CON 3 colored rectangular waist credentials but do not identify the badge designer, production process, material, full role taxonomy, or any official puzzle layer.

The record limits claims to visible physical-credential evidence and event context.

Source note: DEF CON 3 official media-server event photos, official DEF CON archive page, official picture index, and scanned program archive.

DEF CON 4 Human Badge note

source-depth caveat · source-backed but limited · needs deeper archive review

The current public sources prove visible DEF CON 4 rectangular chest credentials but do not identify the badge designer, production process, material, full role taxonomy, or any official puzzle layer.

The record limits claims to visible physical-credential evidence and event context.

Source note: DEF CON 4 official media-server event photos, official DEF CON archive page, and scanned program archive.

DEF CON 5 Human Badge note

source-depth caveat · source-backed but limited · needs deeper archive review

The current public sources prove a visible DEF CON 5 hanging credential but do not identify the badge designer, production process, material, full role taxonomy, or any official puzzle layer.

The record limits claims to visible physical-credential evidence and event context.

Source note: DEF CON 5 official media-server event photo, official DEF CON archive page, and scanned program archive.

DEF CON 8 Human Badge note

source-depth caveat · source-backed but limited · needs deeper archive review

The current public sources prove attendees wore DEF CON 8 lanyard credentials but do not identify the badge designer, production process, material, full role taxonomy, or any official puzzle layer.

The record limits claims to visible physical-credential evidence and event context.

Source note: DEF CON 8 official media-server event photos, official DEF CON event page, and scanned program archive.

LayerOne 2018 ESP32 Alexa Badge note

source-depth caveat · source-backed but incomplete · needs deeper artifact inventory

The public sources prove the ESP32 audio badge, repository trail, and add-on connector, but this pass did not recover a complete final schematic, BOM, production package, firmware release tag, or attendee challenge archive.

The record keeps hardware and software statements tied to public evidence while avoiding unsupported production-scale and final-firmware claims.

Source note: LayerOne HHV archive, Hackaday event report, CharlieX repository, and mmca add-on log.

LayerOne 2019 Voight-Kampff Badge note

source-depth caveat · source-backed but incomplete · needs deeper artifact inventory

The public sources prove the ATtiny2313 main badge, repository source trail, and ESP32CAM/servo add-on context, but this pass did not recover a complete final schematic, BOM, production package, firmware release tag, or challenge solve archive.

The record keeps hardware, software, and add-on statements tied to public evidence while avoiding unsupported production-scale and final-firmware claims.

Source note: LayerOne HHV archive, Hackaday event report, and CharlieX layerOne2019 repository.

LayerOne 2023 PIC HID Badge note

source-depth caveat · source-backed but incomplete · needs deeper artifact inventory

The repository preserves firmware, board and schematic files, host tooling, enclosure assets, and an interactive BOM, but this pass does not claim a complete production package, final assembly guide, attendee count, or challenge solve archive.

The record keeps hardware, USB, LED, and firmware statements tied to the recovered public repository while avoiding unsupported production-scale claims.

Source note: charlie-x/LayerOne2023 README, firmware sources, PCB files, OKBB host tool, and repository tree.

LayerOne 2024 POV Spinner Badge note

source-depth caveat · source-backed but incomplete · needs deeper artifact inventory

The repository preserves firmware, board and schematic files, documentation images, and workflow notes, but this pass does not claim a complete BOM, production package, attendee count, or final manufacturing audit.

The record keeps hardware and firmware statements tied to the recovered public repository and avoids unsupported production-scale claims.

Source note: charlie-x/LayerOne_2024 repository tree, README, Eagle files, and firmware source.

SAINTCON 2014 Arduino-Compatible Badge note

source-depth caveat · first-hand write-up plus secondary coverage · needs badge-team archive

The recovered public trail proves an Arduino-compatible badge, FTDI programming path, HHV assembly context, hidden challenge behavior, and blinky expansion board, but this pass did not recover an official 2014 archive page, schematic, BOM, PCB source, MCU identification, final firmware repository, production count, or complete build manual.

The record preserves verified badge behavior and named-source context without inventing unrecovered electronics, firmware internals, component values, or manufacturing details.

Source note: Josh Datko write-up, SparkFun repost, Hackaday coverage, and Cisco retrospective context.

SAINTCON 2015 Wi-Fi Show Badge note

source-depth caveat · official archive plus partner technical write-up · needs badge-team archive

The official archive proves the event context and Cisco proves a real Wi-Fi enabled show badge, but this pass did not recover a public schematic, BOM, PCB source, firmware image, badge-team repository, production manual, or final application source.

The record preserves verified behavior and integration claims without inventing components, radio details beyond Wi-Fi, PCB layout, battery design, firmware internals, or backend implementation.

Source note: SAINTCON 2015 archive and Cisco badge write-up.

SAINTCON 2020 Badge and MiniBadge Kit note

source-depth caveat · official event metadata plus first-hand badge package write-up · needs badge-team archive

The official archive and metadata sources prove the virtual event context, and the first-hand DC540 write-up proves a shipped badge package, included MiniBadge, custom-MiniBadge coupon, and HC CTF badge context; this pass did not recover an official 2020 schematic, BOM, firmware archive, production count, or complete badge-team build notes.

The record treats SAINTCON 2020 as a conservative package-level badge entry instead of inventing unrecovered electronics, firmware behavior, or challenge mechanics.

Source note: SAINTCON 2020 archive, InfoconDB event entry, DC540 first-hand write-up, and MiniBadge standard README.

BSidesPDX 2024 OpenTaxus Badge note

source-depth caveat · public repository and official talk source · needs final production archive

The official talk page and repository document the badge design, gameplay, hardware archive, and CircuitPython workflows, but this pass did not recover a final production count, shipped firmware release tag, manufacturing order, or rights-cleared field photo.

The record preserves the real BSidesPDX badge without overstating production logistics or publishing unclear media.

Source note: BSidesPDX speaker page, hardware README, Attribution Game badge guide, Trick-or-Treat README, and repository metadata.

CactusCon 2017 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Scanner Badge note

source-depth caveat · first-hand attendee writeup · needs official badge archive recovery

The recovered source proves a paid badge package and observed Wi-Fi/Bluetooth scanner behavior, but this pass did not recover official badge-team documentation, schematics, BOM, firmware, production count, challenge material, or a source repository.

The catalogue records the real scanner badge while keeping technical claims limited to the public attendee writeup.

Source note: Ratil.life Hacking and Skydiving writeup.

THOTCON 0xB Badge note

source-depth caveat · source-backed but incomplete · needs deeper archive recovery

Rob Rehrig's first-hand writeup documents the 0xB badge electronics and production fix, but this pass did not recover a public schematic, Gerber set, BOM, firmware repository, binary archive, or full badge manual.

The catalogue records verified hardware behavior and production context without claiming that the complete design archive is public.

Source note: Rob Rehrig THOTCON 0xB writeup, official THOTCON 0xB schedule, Fourfold work page, and InfoconDB workshop listing.

THOTCON 0xC Badge note

source-depth caveat · source-backed but incomplete · needs deeper archive recovery

Rob Rehrig's first-hand writeup documents the 0xC badge theme, laser-tag behavior, enclosure, optics, and production decisions, but this pass did not recover a public schematic, Gerber set, BOM, firmware repository, binary archive, or full badge manual.

The catalogue records verified event, game, mechanical, and optical facts without claiming that the complete design archive is public.

Source note: Rob Rehrig THOTCON 0xC writeup, official THOTCON 0xC schedule, Fourfold work page, and InfoconDB event metadata.

The Diana Initiative 2020 Off-the-Shelf Virtual Badge note

source-depth caveat · source-backed but incomplete · needs deeper archive recovery

Public sources preserve the workshop, BOM, wiring chart, Tinkercad model, and Arduino sketches, but this pass did not recover a formal schematic, Gerber set, distribution count, repository license, or official reusable badge photo.

The record limits hardware and software claims to the common-parts build guide and public code previews, with image publication withheld until rights-cleared provenance exists.

Source note: TechGirlMN Maker Village archive, TDI Off the Shelf Hardware Edition, Tinkercad model, Arduino Create examples, and badge.gallery image policy.

JawnCon 0x1 Modem Badge note

source-depth caveat · official write-up with upstream firmware context · needs deeper archive recovery

Public sources document the badge concept, case, production workflow, LED/modem behavior, and upstream RetroWiFiModem lineage, but this pass did not recover JawnCon-specific schematic files, BOM, Gerbers, firmware fork, enclosure CAD, or a reusable licensed badge photo.

The record stays anchored to the official write-up and upstream firmware repository without inventing exact board files, pin maps, or firmware modifications.

Source note: JawnCon official badge write-up, JawnCon event page, Hackaday article, RetroWiFiModem repository, and badge.gallery image policy.

BSides Vancouver 2019 Badge note

source-depth caveat · speaker-bio backed but technically shallow · needs primary badge archive

The recovered public trail names the BSides Vancouver 2019 Badge and maker, but this pass did not recover an official 2019 badge page, schematic, BOM, Gerbers, repository, production count, distribution wording, component list, or board-specification archive.

The record preserves the Canadian PCB-art badge lineage while avoiding unsupported electronics, variant, firmware, dimension, or manufacturing claims.

Source note: Official B|Sides Vancouver site, DEF CON 27 HHV schedule bio, and TwinkleTwinkie Hackaday profile.

PhreakNIC 27 Planned MK.II ESL Badge note

source-depth caveat · project-owner plan plus official teaser, talk abstract, and case customizer · needs post-event source recovery

Official posts now confirm the floppy-disk frame, LEGO-compatible shutter, recycled ESL hardware, wireless communication, and battery-less operation, but no PN27 repository, schematic, BOM, firmware, station code, or production note is public. The customizer credits its preview mesh to a pn27-badge project file named epop55-cassette, which hints at the label model without stating it, and the pn27-badge repository itself is not public.

The record avoids naming a shelf-label model, controller, radio, or power design until the talk or a release documents them.

Source note: PhreakNIC site, schedule, and Badge Customizer, and the Phreaknic/phreaknic.info repository, checked 2026-10-21.

RVAsec 2012 Badge note

source-depth caveat · source-limited · documented

The repository proves a real badge source archive, but this pass did not recover an attendee guide, production recap, exact distribution quantity, final assembled-photo evidence, or an explicit hardware license.

The record keeps component and behavior claims tied to the recovered firmware, Eagle files, Gerbers, and event archive.

Source note: HackRVA repository README, firmware, Eagle schematic, Gerber tree, and InfoconDB event context.

DerbyCon 7.0 Legacy Black Badge note

source-depth caveat · source-backed but incomplete · needs source recovery

The Hackster project provides first-hand build notes, materials, and a firmware binary link, but this pass did not recover a dedicated public source repository with complete C source, schematic, Gerbers, PCB production outputs, or a formal hardware license.

The record keeps controller, LED, fabrication, and firmware claims tied to the first-hand project page and avoids unsupported protocol, challenge, and source-release claims.

Source note: Hackster DerbyCon Legacy Black Badge project and linked files.